Tice: Raiders interior line could be the best he’s seen

The Raiders offensive line interior of Kelechi Osemele, Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson has potential to be dominant.

The Raiders have earned plenty of praise for their offensive line, with some pundits calling it potentially one of the best in the league.

The strength of that group is on the interior. Left guard Kelechi Osemele, center Rodney Hudson and right guard Gabe Jackson form a group that’s smart, big and incredibly powerful.

Raiders offensive line coach Mike Tice, who has been coaching in the NFL for 20 years to follow up a 14-year player career, isn’t sure he’s seen a better group.

“I’ve been very blessed to coach a lot of good football players, a lot of good lineman in Minnesota, some good guys in Jacksonville,” Tice said. “Those three guys as a trio there could be as good as any three guys I’ve been blessed to coach. I’m really excited about working with those guys.”

* Tice and head coach Jack Del Rio both praised the way Jackson has handled his move from left guard to right guard following Osemele’s acquisition.

“First of all, he didn’t pout, so that was awesome. He accepted it,” Tice said. “Second of all, honestly he looks like a natural over there on the right side and he’s having a tremendous camp.”

* Tice also spoke very highly of Jon Feliciano, last year’s fourth-round pick, who is pegged to backup at the three interior line spots.

Feliciano earned three starts toward the end of last season, but Tice didn’t particularly care for how he played during that stretch, noting that “he was on the ground too much.” But he trimmed down over the offseason, got married and Tice sees a more mature player.

“Jon has taken a big step for us,” Tice said. “He took all the left guard snaps for us in the first day in padded practice. Besides the fact that Kelechi’s a beast, it wasn’t evident that we were really missing anything. And now he’s starting to understand coverage and being able to make the calls in our protections. Very comfortable with him being that sixth guy. Very comfortable.”

* The Raiders were fairly light on team work Tuesday as they returned from their first off day of camp.

Among the highlights were a wheel route touchdown by Taiwan Jones from Matt McGloin off a busted coverage. Dewey McDonald also had an interception against McGloin during 7-on-7 work.

Mychal Rivera made a nice finger tip catch off a Derek Carr pass during 11-on-11 work and the Raiders first-team offense also went on a nice drive near the end of practice that concluded with a Carr touchdown pass to Michael Crabtree.

* Undrafted defensive end Greg Townsend Jr. (undisclosed injury) was activated from the physically unable to perform list and suited up for his first training camp practice.

11) Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders
Carr is an athlete who is also very football smart, and he can make all the throws you need to win. I watched Carr during my visit to the Raiders this week, and as I told him after practice, I saw him doing a better job looking off defenders and making great sight adjustments. He is reminiscent, in terms of style and the way he moves and the quickness of his release, of Drew Brees. Oakland has assembled a good team around Carr, and there is no doubt in my mind he’ll be a factor in the very near future. That said, I think people might be getting on board with the Raiders a year early, as they tend to do with teams like this. Oakland will be good, and the Raiders might make a decent playoff push, but 2017 will be their year.

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Drew Brees? If he can be even 80% of what Drew Brees was in his prime we’re stoked!

Thec

The blocking tool is cool….
Mitigate the reading of foolishness and unneeded drivel.
Wish we would have had it years ago, would have spared me the need to read through post from so called funny guys.

dukeblue11

I got kicked out of a bar after janikowski shanked the game winner against Arizona a few years ago. Have hated him ever since. He can drill a 55 yarder when were down 10 but if the game is on the line and its a chip shot he’ll shank it

Even if Alex Smith was still with the 49ers, and performing like he is now (a game manager) he should still be considered a huge bust for the #1 overall pick. Would be a decent 2nd rounder though lol

24

Cowboys act like they’re a 3rd string QB away from winning the Superbowl.

xraided

it’s his specialty… let the waterworks ensue

Thec

Snake had the Aura of invincibility.
When he walked on the field, you knew we were going to win.

PodunkRaider (aka RRS)

who isn’t? Cook, get Gannon on the phone YESTERDAY!!

Dakota

Don’t worry, Dewey will save the day!

RaiderCODE

Chris McClain ‏@ChrisMcClain 49s50 seconds ago
#Raiders S Karl Joseph has joined his team on side of field now. Has his helmet, but not in pads.

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knee soreness??

inonewordraider

Dewey ahead of nate and mcgill, yikes

24

I see Cook as developmental. I don’t think they’d do that this time around. The team has the time and the roster to develop now. With McGloin becoming a free agent next year, it’s better to have a backup with at least 1 year in the system

PodunkRaider (aka RRS)

Relax. He’s just fighting in a civil war at Haiti

RaidingTexas

Can’t see. What’s it say?

easyant13

Silly, and petty haha

RaiderCODE

the real panic is Colton Underwood still hasnt practiced!

Thec

Chris McClain ‏@ChrisMcClain 2m2 minutes ago
#Raiders S Karl Joseph has joined his team on side of field now. Has his helmet, but not in pads.

24

Every highlight I read its…Nate got beat deep by this guy or that guy.